Glendale receives top park access score in the Valley
Posted 5/25/20
As state and municipal leaders continue reopening parks and open spaces as the world weathers the COVID-19 pandemic, The Trust for Public Land announced that Minneapolis reclaimed its position as the …
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Glendale receives top park access score in the Valley
Posted
As state and municipal leaders continue reopening parks and open spaces as the world weathers the COVID-19 pandemic, The Trust for Public Land announced that Minneapolis reclaimed its position as the nation’s best park system on the annual ParkScore Index, edging ahead of defending champion Washington DC.
Boosted by strong marks for park acreage, Scottsdale was the only Arizona city to finish in the top half of the ParkScore list at 44th place. Glendale received the highest mark among area cities for park access.
Mesa was one of the lowest-ranking park systems at No. 96 with a score of 29.0.
According to The Trust for Public Land, 75% of Glendale residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park, above the national ParkScore average of 72%. Phoenix received strong marks for park acreage, but its ParkScore was hurt by below average marks for park access and park amenities.
The nonprofit organization reported overall progress for parks this year but warned that city park systems have reached a critical tipping point, as widening inequities in equitable park access and COVID-related budget cuts risk irreversible damage in 2020 and beyond.
“When stay-at-home orders permitted, people increasingly turned to parks, trails, and public open spaces to connect with nature, exercise, and enhance their mental and physical health,” says Diane Regas, President and CEO of The Trust for Public Land. “Residents deeply value parks, but continued inequity and the risk of future budget cuts threaten severe damage to the park systems that make many cities so livable.”
